AT the Blarney Star Concert last Friday night, the 82-year-young Mike Rafferty from Ballinakill, East Galway and his daughter Mary were stuck for so many tune names on their playlist as Gan Ainm (no name) tunes predominated.

It didn't take away from their performance together along with Donal Clancy, the husband of Mary, and while you missed the recitation of the many colorful tune titles, you had to wonder what's in a name and how do those musicians keep all that in their heads along with the notes.

Mike shared some comical philosophy from the late and legendary Johnny Cronin who quipped, "You're better off not asking for the names of the tunes (from other musicians) because they mightn't be telling you the truth so you're better off putting your own name on it."

Rafferty replied to him at the time in a similar wistful and innocent way, "But that might not be true either."

Rose Conway Flanagan's childhood home on Wallace Avenue in the Bronx was an open door for the great Irish musicians who were always welcome there to share the tunes.

The popular and very successful fiddle teacher now living in Pearl River opened up her own home to fiddler Kevin Burke and Cal Scott last Saturday night for a lovely acoustic house concert. It was truly acoustic which made for a more personal connection for the music for those who squeezed in and enjoyed the night. Connaught man John Carty rambles there on Friday, October 24 at 8 p.m. to warm the Flanagan family fireside room as part of his upcoming solo tour (www.johncartymusic.com).